NUR 546/NUR546 Final Exam V3 |
Advanced Pathophysiology Q&A with
Rationale | William Paterson University
1. A patient experiences a decrease in muscle mass due to prolonged immobilization. Which
cellular adaptation is this describing?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: C
Rationale: Atrophy is the decrease or shrinkage in cellular size. This process often occurs
due to decreased protein synthesis or increased protein catabolism within the cell. It is
commonly seen in patients who are immobilized for long periods leading to muscle
wasting.
2. Which process describes the programmed cell death that does not cause inflammation in
surrounding tissues?
A. Necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Ischemia
,D. Autophagy
Answer: B
Rationale: Apoptosis is an active process of cellular self-destruction that occurs in both
normal and pathologic tissue. Unlike necrosis, it is highly regulated and does not result in
the leakage of intracellular contents. Consequently, it does not typically trigger an
inflammatory response in the surrounding environment.
3. Down syndrome is most commonly caused by which genetic mechanism?
A. Trisomy 21
B. Monosomy X
C. Chromosomal inversion
D. Gene deletion
Answer: A
Rationale: Down syndrome is the result of trisomy 21, meaning there are three copies of
chromosome 21 instead of two. This usually occurs due to nondisjunction during meiosis,
particularly in older maternal gametes. It is characterized by distinct facial features,
intellectual disability, and increased risk for congenital heart defects.
4. Hemophilia A is an X-linked recessive disorder. If a mother is a carrier and the father is
unaffected, what is the chance a son will have the disease?
A. 0%
, B. 25%
C. 50%
D. 100%
Answer: C
Rationale: Because it is X-linked recessive, the son inherits his X chromosome from his
mother and his Y from his father. If the mother is a carrier, she has one affected X and one
normal X. Therefore, each son has a 50% chance of inheriting the affected X chromosome
and manifesting the disease.
5. What is the primary vascular change that occurs during the early stage of acute
inflammation?
A. Vasoconstriction and decreased blood flow
B. Hardening of the vessel walls
C. Reduced leukocyte migration
D. Vasodilation and increased capillary permeability
Answer: D
Rationale: During acute inflammation, histamine and other mediators cause vasodilation
to increase blood flow to the injured site. This is accompanied by increased capillary
permeability, which allows fluid and protein to leak into the tissues. This process facilitates
the delivery of white blood cells to the area of injury or infection.
Advanced Pathophysiology Q&A with
Rationale | William Paterson University
1. A patient experiences a decrease in muscle mass due to prolonged immobilization. Which
cellular adaptation is this describing?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: C
Rationale: Atrophy is the decrease or shrinkage in cellular size. This process often occurs
due to decreased protein synthesis or increased protein catabolism within the cell. It is
commonly seen in patients who are immobilized for long periods leading to muscle
wasting.
2. Which process describes the programmed cell death that does not cause inflammation in
surrounding tissues?
A. Necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Ischemia
,D. Autophagy
Answer: B
Rationale: Apoptosis is an active process of cellular self-destruction that occurs in both
normal and pathologic tissue. Unlike necrosis, it is highly regulated and does not result in
the leakage of intracellular contents. Consequently, it does not typically trigger an
inflammatory response in the surrounding environment.
3. Down syndrome is most commonly caused by which genetic mechanism?
A. Trisomy 21
B. Monosomy X
C. Chromosomal inversion
D. Gene deletion
Answer: A
Rationale: Down syndrome is the result of trisomy 21, meaning there are three copies of
chromosome 21 instead of two. This usually occurs due to nondisjunction during meiosis,
particularly in older maternal gametes. It is characterized by distinct facial features,
intellectual disability, and increased risk for congenital heart defects.
4. Hemophilia A is an X-linked recessive disorder. If a mother is a carrier and the father is
unaffected, what is the chance a son will have the disease?
A. 0%
, B. 25%
C. 50%
D. 100%
Answer: C
Rationale: Because it is X-linked recessive, the son inherits his X chromosome from his
mother and his Y from his father. If the mother is a carrier, she has one affected X and one
normal X. Therefore, each son has a 50% chance of inheriting the affected X chromosome
and manifesting the disease.
5. What is the primary vascular change that occurs during the early stage of acute
inflammation?
A. Vasoconstriction and decreased blood flow
B. Hardening of the vessel walls
C. Reduced leukocyte migration
D. Vasodilation and increased capillary permeability
Answer: D
Rationale: During acute inflammation, histamine and other mediators cause vasodilation
to increase blood flow to the injured site. This is accompanied by increased capillary
permeability, which allows fluid and protein to leak into the tissues. This process facilitates
the delivery of white blood cells to the area of injury or infection.
